If we lose out are we in the wildcard?

[gscaton1]

Just curious are we in the wildcard now or do we have to win a game. Someone told me we are already a wildcard but I am not sure....

[Steveg85321]

Going into the playoffs on a 5-game losing streak does not bode well for a successful playoff appearance. They have to win a game at some point to advance, and this does not look like a game winning sort of club right now.

[mythoughts]

Clinched playoffs, can still be eithe Division Champ or Wildcard after Dallas' win over Pittsburgh

[Ravens75]

The Ravens are in the playoffs. Win next week or if the Steelers beat the Bengals then the Ravens win the division and face the Colts at home and then Houston on the road.

I'll take that versus playing either Pitt or Cincy as the 3rd seed and then having to go to NE the following week.

[mythoughts]

Now we root for Pit to beat Cin next week to clinch Div Champ

[RestonRaven]

The Giants did not exactly look like world beaters this week getting smoked by The Falcons 34-0.

I think the Ravens bounce back next week at home and claw out a close victory. However, if Pittsburgh beats Cincy in the early game, we clinch the division before taking on the Giants at 4:30 in any event. If that happens, I would think about pulling starters and just getting healthy. Don't play Suggs, Lewis, Smith, Ngata, Pollard, Reed, Ellerbe, Jameel or anyone else that is nicked up. Start resting Q, Torrey, Rice, Pitta & Pierce as well. I would treat the Giants and Bengals as pre-season. Try to polish a few new looks/sets on offense and defense over the next few weeks and get ready to take on the Colts at home in the first round healthy & rested.

[SNAFU]

Clinched playoffs, can still be eithe Division Champ or Wildcard after Dallas' win over Pittsburgh

I would rest Ray Lewis till their first game of the playoffs. Can only help their banged-up defense.

[Ravens75]

The Ravens are in the playoffs. Win next week or if the Steelers beat the Bengals then the Ravens win the division and face the Colts at home and then Houston on the road.

I'll take that versus playing either Pitt or Cincy as the 3rd seed and then having to go to NE the following week.

I am wrong about the division. If Pitt wins and the Ravens lose next week then the Ravens have to beat Cincy to win the first tie breaker which is record versus each other. If Pitt, Cincy and the Ravens all end at 9-7 then the Steelers win the division based on a 3-1 record versus Balt. and Cincy while the Ravens would be 2-2 versus Pitt and Cincy. Cincy would be eliminated at 1-3.

The Ravens must win next week to seal up the division and get the pseudo bye. If not they are looking at being the 6th seed if they lose out.

[OriginalColtsFan]

I am wrong about the division. If Pitt wins and the Ravens lose next week then the Ravens have to beat Cincy to win the first tie breaker which is record versus each other. If Pitt, Cincy and the Ravens all end at 9-7 then the Steelers win the division based on a 3-1 record versus Balt. and Cincy while the Ravens would be 2-2 versus Pitt and Cincy. Cincy would be eliminated at 1-3.

The Ravens must win next week to seal up the division and get the pseudo bye. If not they are looking at being the 6th seed if they lose out.

I think that's incorrect. Even if the Ravens lose out and finish 9-7, if Pitt beats Cincy next week, and all 3 end up 9-7, the Ravens clinch the division by virtue of the division/conf tie breaker records.

[Tootsie]

I am wrong about the division. If Pitt wins and the Ravens lose next week then the Ravens have to beat Cincy to win the first tie breaker which is record versus each other. If Pitt, Cincy and the Ravens all end at 9-7 then the Steelers win the division based on a 3-1 record versus Balt. and Cincy while the Ravens would be 2-2 versus Pitt and Cincy. Cincy would be eliminated at 1-3.

The Ravens must win next week to seal up the division and get the pseudo bye. If not they are looking at being the 6th seed if they lose out.

Right now the Bengals are 1GB, and Pitt is 2GB

[BlandFood]

Now we root for Pit to beat Cin next week to clinch Div Champ

Not sure I want the Div.... might draw Indycrapolis, Luck looks pretty tough. Rather get the Bungles.

[Ravens2006]

The first tie-breaker for division among three or more teams is...

"Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games among the clubs)"

That's the exact wording on NFL.com...

Also... "If two clubs remain tied after third or other clubs are eliminated during any step, tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format"

So if they all wound up 9-7 from here, the Steelers would be 3-1 "among the clubs", the Ravens 2-2, and the Bengals 1-3...

The "if two clubs remain tied" part makes me think they don't just eliminate the 3rd team and revert to the 2-club format... and that the Steelers would then flat out win the division. That would leave CIN / BAL in a tie-break for the WC, where BAL wins on conference record.

Of course, ESPN.com right now has a page where they show BAL as the "AFC North Champ"... which is funny since CIN can still win it outright.

[LarryN]

Now we root for Pit to beat Cin next week to clinch Div Champ

Either Cincinnati or Pittsburgh can still win the division. If the Ravens lose out and either one wins out, the Ravens are the wild card.